David De Gea put in a stunning showing at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening to ensure Manchester United secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur to make it six wins in a row under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
It was a competitive first-half in the capital but the Red Devils went into the break as Marcus Rashford netted his seventh Premier League goal of the season in the 44th minute. As a result, Spurs really pushed throughout the second period but United’s goalkeeper stood firm to make numerous brilliant saves to continually deny Harry Kane and Dele Alli, amongst others, and make sure of the three points
Positive start at Wembley
Tottenham should have opened the scoring within ten minutes as Heung-Min Son’s reverse pass found the run of Harry Winks. However, the midfielder’s cross-come-shot dribbled harmlessly wide of David De Gea’s goal.
Jesse Lingard also spurned an excellent early opportunity as he latched onto Paul Pogba’s cross at the far post. He took a touch but could only lash his effort well wide when only yards from goal. Rashford then forced Hugo Lloris into a low stop as both teams started the game positively.
Rashford rips through Spurs before the break
As the first-half bore on, the Red Devils started to seize control of the game.
Harry Kane thought he had opened the scoring as he latched onto Dele Alli’s knock-down and tapped home but his strike was ruled out for offside, to the relief of the United players.
The stalemate was finally broken just before the break and it was indeed United that hit the front. Paul Pogba found Rashford with a stunning long pass and the youngster raced towards goal to fire past Lloris with a clinical, low finish.
Lloris, De Gea called into action
Much like in the first-half, Tottenham created opportunities straight from the off. Kane had a wonderful chance to equalise as he was fed by Alli but the England forward was thwarted by a good save from De Gea. The Spaniard then pulled out another excellent stop to palm a powerful Alli away from the bottom corner.
Despite that, United then went close to doubling their lead as Lloris was called into action to stop Pogba’s stooped header. The French midfielder then tried again as he bustled through the Tottenham backline and attempted to lift the ball into the net only to see his international teammate leap and tip the ball over the crossbar.
Spurs continue to be frustrated
The game was really beginning to open up in the second-half with both sides pushing for an all-important goal. The next chance came the way of Tottenham and it was one they really should have taken. With United pushed up the pitch, Mauricio Pochettino’s men counter-attacked through Kane. He released Alli into the penalty area but once again, De Gea was able to keep Spurs at bay with another brilliant save.
Toby Alderweireld then did excellently to find space from a corner and looked to stab home at the near post. The ball looked destined to nestle into the back of the net but the United goalkeeper produced a stunning reaction save to deflect the ball away.
Tottenham were beginning to look extremely dangerous at this point in the game but De Gea continued to be the difference between the two teams. Alli wriggled into the box and looked to curl the ball into the far corner only for the Spaniard to leap across his line once again. Spurs introduced Llorente in the final stages and he looked to have an instant impact as his knock-down fell to Kane. The striker wriggled his way through by De Gea somehow stuck out a foot to yet again deny the hosts.
As it happened, the Spaniard’s influence was to be key as the final whistle went to signal a huge United victory at Wembley.
Final Thoughts
United, and all of their players for that matter, really do look back to their best. Pogba, Rashford, Herrera and none least De Gea were all brilliant as the Red Devils secured their win. The visitors were brilliant throughout the first-half and looked extremely dangerous on the attack. They were made to dig in throughout the second-half as they weathered waves and waves of Tottenham attacks. They could feel slightly fortunate to escape Wembley with three points but it goes without saying that the win could really be key for the club and Solskjaer.
Match Report
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (7); Davies (6), Vertonghen (6), Alderweireld (7), Trippier (6); Winks (7) (Llorente (N/A), 81′), Sissoko (6) (Lamela (6), 43′), Eriksen (6); Alli (7), Son (6), Kane (6).
Manchester United: De Gea (9); Shaw (7), Jones (6), Lindelöf (7), Young (6); Herrera (8), Matic (7), Pogba (8) (McTominay (N/A), 90+2′); Lingard (7) (Dalot (N/A), 83′), Martial (6) (Lukaku (6), 73′), Rashford (7).
Goals: Rashford (44′)
Referee: Mike Dean
Yellow Cards: Alli (50′), Herrera (66′), Pogba (78′)
Red Cards: N/A
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